Tag Archives: monthly goals

Summer Bucket List

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Just like last year, I’ve put together a list of items I want to cross off my bucket list this summer. After a rather stagnant few months, during which I learned a lot mentally but didn’t do a hell of a lot physically, I’m feeling motivated to push harder than ever to get things back in gear and get that scale moving downward once again.

So, here are my goals for the summer, designed to get me out there…finding balance, shaking things up, making my life.

2013 Summer Bucket List

1. Run 2 miles

2. Attempt to water ski…again

3. Put myself out there physically

4. Complete a bike race

5. Go hiking in a state park

6. Lose 20 pounds

7. Purchase a pair of pants from a “normal” size store

8. Move everyday & spend as much time outside as possible

9. Go to a beach in a swimsuit. Swim, soak up the sun,  be confident

10. Save enough money for a personal trainer this fall

Tell me: what are you going to do over the next three months to make yourself proud and kick some booty?

March Goals

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Woo hoo! We survived February: the worst of all the months! It’s March and we’re that much closer to spring and sunshine and warmth and the ability to be outside without the possibility of losing appendages!

February was a rough one for my goals as well. Surprise! I didn’t achieve any of them!

Well, it’s a new month and I’m newly motivated to move past my recent health drama. I think I’ve been struggling because I’ve been floundering with no answers, no guidance, no clue as to why my body is being such a little b-word. Now that I know what’s up, I feel ready to start working to defeat it. I’m looking forward to the hard work–an awesome feeling :)

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Goals for March

1. 1,000 calorie burn each day
2. Complete my food journal each day
3. Run 3 times per week
4. Try a new gym class
5. Compliment myself every day

And finally…a month without alcohol! It’s recommended that I avoid alcohol while on my new medication, so…I’ll miss my BFF vodka, but I think it’ll be a good way to keep the extra carbs/cals in check.

As always, I’d love for you to join me! Pick a few goals from my list, or come up with your own, then share your list in the comments below.

February Goals

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Does anyone still have problems spelling February? It’s not just me, right?! :) It’s one of those words, like ‘prairie’, that I have to think about each time I spell it. Good thing I have an English degree...

So it’s February. The shortest, most depressing month of the year. This is the time when winter doldrums really set in. All that stale air, dirty snow, dark-at-5pm winter BS gets real, real old. Combine that with Valentine’s Day singledom, and it becomes especially tempting to fall into old, comfortable habits.

But so far this year, I’m doing really well. January was a good month: I made progress with all my goals, lost some weight and a bunch of inches. I ended up not running the 5K I had planned because it was freezing and I lacked the funds. Other than that, I made significant progress with C25K and a had a breakthrough with the dreaded treadmill. I re-started Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred, though I didn’t do it consistently–I was too focused on my new favorite gym class, Body Pump! I did extremely well with staying out of the grocery store. I made maybe 1 extra trip, but I otherwise ate through what I had stocked up at home. Good month!

Here’s what I’ve got cooking for February:

Goals for February

1. Finish C25K
2. Complete 30DS–just because I’ve been wanting to do a full cycle of this FOREVER.
3. Move it at least once per day–too often when I take a rest day, I let that 1 day become 2, somtimes 3. Enough!
4. Complete calorie log every day–and do it without going over. I’ll sometimes enter half my day but then get too lazy or busy to finish it, which allows for unaccounted for calories going in. No more excuses!
5. Run the Valentine’s Day 5K–they make you way signs on your back stating your relationship status. Yikes.

As always, I’d love for you to join me! Pick a few goals from my list, or come up with your own, then share your list in the comments below. 

January Goals

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I haven’t done a monthly goals post in a hot minute. So what better time than the New Year to get back into the habit? This time around, we’re setting five goals per month instead of ten (more doable, I think). Here’s what I’ve got cooking for January:

Goals for January

1. Make progress towards completing C25K – this is still lingering for me and I want it done!
2. Restart (and complete) 30 Day Shred (30DS) – again, I want it done!
3. Take 4 yoga classes 
4. Workout at least once per day
5. Run the St. Paul Winter Carnival 5K sub 44 minutes – a goal for this year is to run five 5K races, and 44 minutes was my time from my previous 5K race. So, check a race off the list and set a new PR.

As always, I’d love for you to join me! Pick a few goals from my list, or come up with your own, then share your list in the comments below. 

Resolve

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Here it is! Your obligatory yet lovingly and soberly composed New Year’s post! Let me start by saying that, as someone who’s spent the majority of their life overweight and is also highly self-critical/analytical, I’m a sucker for fresh starts, clean slates, second chances, resolutions, Mondays, and new years.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve spent a good deal of time taking stock of my 2012: what I learned, where I failed and succeeded, what I want to do differently in the new year, and what goals I want to accomplish. I feel like 2012 was been my practice year, my twelve-month warm-up. 2013, in very technical sports speak, is the Big Show. It is my regular season where I work towards the playoffs and, eventually, the Super Bowl (my weight loss goal, for those who are metaphorically challenged). For the most part, I know what worked and what didn’t, where and why I was and was not successful. But more than anything, I know the fire inside in me to succeed, to keep going, is stronger than ever. I want that championship ring, dammit!
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Here are the big picture ambitions I have for 2013:

Love
Above all else, I want to practice love. For myself, for all situations and circumstances, for friends and family, for complete strangers. A big part of my success this past year has been shedding the negativity and cynicism that have ruled my life for so long. I want to continue to develop this practice, to make myself more and more open and vulnerable to all that surrounds me. Be present in the moment. Care for the relationships in my life, cultivate new ones. I want to go on a date, focus on living my own life, let go of residual guilt and anger, travel. Live in kindness, gratitude, and love.
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Weight
Obviously, I want to continue to lose weight. This past year, I lost 65 pounds and have mostly maintained that weight. But I have so far to go. In 2013, I want to lose an additional 100 pounds. Ambitious and aggressive, but the jiggle is there still, so…

My cousin shared a yearlong plan someone had put together where they gave up one unhealthy food item each month. I adapted this idea to my own life, planning to give up one trigger food each month. I’m intrigued to see if I have the willpower to do it, and I’m also interested to see how my body reacts month-to-month. I’ll be tracking my progress using an app on my phone, and sharing updates on the blog and on my Twitter. Here are the twelve items I’ll be giving up throughout 2013:
Monthly

Fitness
I have two main fitness goals for 2013: 1) become more of an athlete, and 2) build consistency. The biggest hindrance to my progress in 2012 was a lack of consistency. I’d go through spurts of working out, then when I didn’t get my results, I’d slack off for a week…or two months.

To resolve that, I’ve set some specific challenges for myself that will hopefully help build consistency, and make me more of an athlete. Because I don’t want to continue with my same old, half-assed elliptical workouts. I don’t want to end up skinny fat. I want to be able to kick some serious ass. So, in 2013 I want to…

  • Run an entire 5K
  • Participate in at least five races
  • Look into the possibility of doing a 10K
  • Get a trainer
  • Begin a swimming program
  • Take up a new summer and winter sport
  • Explore the possibility of doing a triathlon in 2014

I also have big plans for this blog in 2013. Namely, a redesign done ASAP (any takers?), along with lots more posts. Because, as my mother keeps pointing out, blogging helps keep me accountable and allows me to share my thoughts—get them out of my overanalyzing brain and onto virtual paper. And of course I want to do things like read more, spend more time doing the arty things I love (playing music, painting), travel, get a tattoo, etc. But these are the main areas I want to focus in the coming months, because they have the most overarching impact on my life.

So that’s my big plan for 2013. I do intend to continue menu and workout planning, setting smaller goals and challenges each month (sharing them on the blog, of course), and tracking my food and exercise on My Fitness Pal. All of these things served me well in 2012. I hope you’ll stick around and see how it all plays out. Your support, encouragement, and advice over the past twelve months has been invaluable. I am so grateful to each and every one of you—I could not have done this without you and I hope I can inspire you even more in the coming months. Because I’m not stopping until I finish making this little life of mine.

What are your resolutions for 2013? Set some, share them with me, then let’s get after it! 

October Goals

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Another month, another set of goals. A few goals didn’t get taken care of last month, so you’ll see them on the list below. I decided that I’m not going to let go of a goal if I don’t reach it right away. So while it might be less interesting for you to read, they’re going to stay on my list until I can cross those buggers out!

As always, I’d love for you to join me! Pick a few goals from my list, or come up with your own, then share your list in the comments below. 

Goals for October

1. Run two complete miles
2. Break XXX pounds–I have a number in mind. If I break it, I’ll share it
3. Fit comfortably into a “regular” sized pair of pants–so! close!
4. No ice cream or frozen yogurt
5. Stick to consistent workout schedule with accountability partner
6. Begin a strength training program
7. Finish 30 Day Shred–I will take this down!
8. Finish Couch-to-5K
9. In bed by 10pm Monday-Friday–much needed for 5am workouts!
10. Begin twice per week spin classes

I’ll Race You

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A gorgeous, crisp, fall day. My momma, my auntie, and my fave cousin. A few Limp Bizkit tunes (no, seriously). Ann Bancroft. 25 porta potties. Free nanners and Muscle Milk! 2,700 women running the Cities.

This was my first 5K race. 

It could have been better, it could have been a lot worse. But it could not have been more fun or more inspiring. I felt light on my feet, I ran and walked (14:24 pace), I passed and was passed. I  high-fived and heard so many words of encouragement from my family and complete strangers. I felt like an athlete again, and I realized just how much I’ve missed that–how much I’ve missed feeling strong and powerful. So, ok, I’m in. I’m hooked–I’m a runner!

Halfway Point: September Goals

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Goals for September

1. Complete a 5K race
2. Lose 10 pounds
3. Fit comfortably into a “regular” sized pants
4. Break through this dang plateau
5. Build a consistent workout schedule
6. Begin a strength training program
7. Finish 30 Day Shred
8. Run a complete mile
9. Avoid the downfall of TOM
10. Begin twice per week spin classes

I just realized that it’s more than halfway through September and I’ve yet to share my progress on my goals for this month! Oops! I feel like I’ve been neglecting this bloggy blog a whole bunch lately, but there are big (fun) things on the horizon, and plenty of posts lined up for the near future. I’ve been dealing with real life issues lately–weird right? So I haven’t been attentive to you all as I should have been. My apologies. Never again, promise. :)

I think (knock on wood, rub a rabbit’s foot, fingers crossed) that I’ve finally bid adieu to this 6-month plateau (#4). Preplanning my meals, sticking to my metrics, consistent workouts (#5) and a new accountability partner in my best friend from high school, Suzy (what up, love!) have really helped–I need to remember how amazing I feel after a workout, no matter what the scale does that day! This new laser-like focus even helped me avoid TOM this month(my time of the month–sorry to any guys reading!) (#9) and move past the same 10+ lbs I keep losing and gaining (#2).

I did get new pants that are two (TWO) sizes smaller than what I used to wear, and they’re just bordering on what I’m calling “normal” sized. So I feel like that one (#3) is half crossed off. Guess I have another goal for next month!

The last few goals are going to implemented in the last few days of this month, as I was nervous about over training for the 5K: the weight training (#6), spin classes (#10), and 30DS (#7) should be a piece of cake (mmm…cake) now that I’ve got my consistency going.

I’m still running my first ever 5K on Sunday (#1). As I’ve mentioned before, my mom, aunt, and cousin will be there with me. And my good friend and her pup will be cheering me on from the sidelines. I’m terrified beyond belief, I secretly think I run slower than I walk, and I may finish in dead last behind all the kick ass old ladies, but hey. I’m out there, I’m doing it, there’s only up to go from here.

Finally, I RAN AN ENTIRE MILE WITHOUT DYING AND IT WAS AWESOME AND I’M SO PROUD OF MYSELF (#8). If you follow me on Twitter, you no doubt already saw my berry red, sweaty, ecstatic face and read my saga of tweets about it (you’re welcome).

Well, that’s how I’m doing on my goals this month! Where are you guys at? Share your progress in the comments below! I have to get back to planning m’birthday celebraaations–it’s tomorrow, by the way. Please send cupcakes, flowers, and Josh Jackson.

Success!

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The pictures above? Yeah. Today I finally ran one complete mile.
A windy, hilly, sweaty, challenging, incredible mile.

When I started this journey way back in January, almost nine months to the day, one of the very first workouts I did was workout one of the Couch-to-5K. I huffed and puffed and struggled to make it through one minute of a very slow jog. Everything hurt, everything jiggled, I was incredibly uncomfortable, and I couldn’t breathe.

Frustrated, I moved on to other, less intimidating workouts, coming back to running sporadically to see if it had somehow magically become easier. Slowly progressing from those first sixty seconds, I was finally able to do ninety. Got stuck there, waited, came back and got to three minutes.

And there I stayed. For months.

Then I remembered the quote that kicked this all off:

“Nothing changes when you’re comfortable.”

Amen to that. Amidst the crap-fest that was this summer, I signed up for a 5K and half-heartedly began training. I’ve had a few great runs lately, but that nagging summer bucket list item of running an entire mile was still hanging out there.

I haven’t run a full mile since 7th grade. Today, I did. In 13 minutes! Enjoy the proud sweat and tear stained face above–I know I am!

The best is truly yet to come, my friends! Here’s to the first of many, many more miles!

September Goals

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Better late than never, right? As I’ll share with you over the next few days, and as you’ve probably suspected from my recent absence around these parts, I’ve been struggling lately. My plateau is still lazing around like the little bastard he is, and I’ve started to emulate his ways: poor food choices, a crap attitude, no diligence in tracking, and minimal movement.

But! It’s a new month (my birthday month, no less!) and it’s my favorite. Thanks to a new school year, a new season, and another year of glorious aging for me, September has always provided the idea of a fresh start, the chance to try and reinvent yourself one more time. To wit, here are my ambitious and somewhat repetitious goals for this month:

As always, I’d love for you to join me! Pick a few goals from my list, or come up with your own, then share your list in the comments below. 

Goals for September

1. Complete a 5K–scheduled for September 23!
2. Lose 10 pounds
3. Fit comfortably into a “regular” sized pair of pants–so! close!
4. Break through this dang plateau 
5. Build a consistent workout schedule–no more six days on, three weeks off.
6. Begin a strength training program
7. Finish 30 Day Shred
8. Run a complete mile
9. Avoid the downfall of the hormonal, emotional disaster that is TOM
10. Begin twice per week spin classes